CNG 100, Lot: 349. Estimate $3000. Sold for $7000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

VISIGOTHS, Gaul. Pseudo-Imperial coinage. AV Solidus (22mm, 4.44 g, 6h). In the name of Byzantine emperor Justinian I (527-565). Probably Narbonne mint. D INV(retrograde S)T-IN-NΛNI, diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear over shoulder and shield; cross on helmet / IVICTORI-Λ ΛVGGGI, Victory standing left, holding long, voided cross; CONOB. Cf. MEC 1, 190-1; cf. Reinhart pl. 8, 1-14. Near EF, toned, underlying luster, two tiny digs in obverse field. Very rare.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams, purchased from Ariadne Galleries, February 1985.

Unlike comparable issues of similar style, this interesting coin has a cross on the helmet rather than a trefoil ornament, depicts Victory holding a voided long cross rather than a beaded cross with forked base, and lacks a star in the reverse field. Possibly unpublished as such.